Articles and Blogs

Executive Summary Under the Federal Stark Law, for calendar year 2013 hospitals may provide non-monetary compensation to physicians up to an aggregate amount of $380.  The dollar limit for “medical staff incidental benefits” (e.g., meals, parking, other items or incidental services that are used on the hospital’s campus) increases slightly for 2013 to less... READ MORE

Working from home and keeping time It’s becoming more and more common for employees to work from home.  Of course when they work they are to be paid for that work.  But what if the employee works but doesn’t follow the employer’s policy in keeping track of that time.  Are they still entitled to be... READ MORE

Introduction On November 29, 2012, Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and several other congressmen introduced HR 6611, the Patient Access to Drugs in Shortage Act (“Drug Shortage Act” or the “Act”), a new bill aimed at curbing drug shortages of generic sterile injectable drugs (“Sterile Injectables”).  If enacted, the Drug Shortage Act could have a... READ MORE

Introduction On November 8, 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published the Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule for Calendar Year (“CY”) 2013 (“Final Rule”) in the Federal Register.  This alert addresses some of the most notable components of the Final Rule in order to assist Home Health Agencies (“HHAs”)... READ MORE

Hall Render has learned that Texas Republican Kevin Brady will become the new Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommitee in Washington, D.C. The 7-term representative of the 8th District northwest of Houston is currently Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee and the third most senior member of the full Ways and Means Committee.... READ MORE

READ MORE

READ MORE

On November 27, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) released its Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2012 Semiannual Report to Congress (“Report”) for the second half of FY 2012.  The Report describes some of the OIG’s major achievements related to the OIG’s enforcement, audit, evaluation and compliance work... READ MORE

The hospital industry is consolidating.  Dramatic changes in health law, an increasing squeeze on hospital reimbursement, large capital costs required to provide sufficient information technology support and, in many cases, aging physical plants are factors motivating hospitals to consider affiliating with other hospital systems or entities. READ MORE

The uncertainty regarding the change in federal gift and estate tax laws and the importance of year end gifts are addressed in this inaugural issue of Hall Render’s Estate Planning Insights audio series. Please join Doug Long, Shareholder at Hall, Render, Killian, Heath and Lyman, for this brief discussion by clicking here. Should you... READ MORE